Extremely dangerous hurricane Harvey set to inundate Texas

The eye of Harvey has become visible Friday morning, as the dangerous storm spins just 80 miles off the coast of Texas. Corpus Chrisite appears to the point of landfall at this time. (NOAA)

Hurricane Harvey is poised to become the first major hurricane, category 3 or higher, to strike the US coast since Wilma in 2005. Harvey, left for dead along the Yucatan coast just a few days ago, has now become an extremely dangerous system. As of 11am Friday morning, Harvey is located about 80 miles southeast of Corpus Chrisite, Texas, with 110 mph (175 km/h) winds. Harvey is moving towards the northwest at 10 mph (17 km/h). Heavy rain and thunderstorms are already impacting portions of the warned area along the central and southern Texas coast. Winds and waves will continue increase as the day wears on, with the worst conditions arriving with the eye of Harvey late this evening. A storm surge of 6 to 12 feet is expected along the immediate coastal area, as Harvey makes landfall by midnight tonight. Evacuations and preparations are being rushed to completion at this hour.

Historical Rainfall Forecast
Wind is only one component of this dangerous storm, water will be the big story. Harvey is forecast to meander around southern and eastern Texas for the next 3 to 4 days, with torrential rainfall. Unbelievable rain estimates of 15 to 25 inches (300 to 600mm) are being forecast with up to 35 inches locally. This amount of rainfall will certainly lead to catastrophic inland and fresh water flooding. Emergency officials are preparing for widespread flash flooding across all of Texas and into Arkansas and Louisiana. Water temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico are in the upper 80s, with plenty of moisture and energy available to fuel this storm.

Midday Friday radar from Corpus Christie, Texas, shows the eye of Hurricane Harvey less than 80 miles from the Texas Gulf Coast.